Rapides Parish School Board

The Challenge: A Communication Breakdown

This lack of a centralized system created a host of problems for parents who had to navigate a confusing maze of websites, social media posts, and apps just to find basic information. The district itself faced significant challenges with mass notifications, which were often met with high rates of bounced calls, outdated contact information, and blocked numbers. After reviewing the call report, it was obvious they were missing parents.

"I think the real wake-up call for me, when I really knew something must be done, was when we had severe weather that warranted an early dismissal," Mary Helen shared. The feedback from families spilled over onto social media, where parents voiced their concerns and annoyance.

Mary Helen explained, “We would post on Facebook, but there would consistently be thoughts about, ‘What if a parent doesn't have Facebook?’ and questions like ‘Why am I finding out about this on social media?' It illustrated a clear pain point, and I was determined to more effectively communicate with parents.”

“Sometimes rumors would run amok, and the perception of how we're communicating with parents was ruptured. It took a toll on our brand, and it was evident that there was a lack of trust.”

Faced with these communication challenges, Rapides Parish sought a solution that could unify their efforts, streamline communication, and rebuild confidence in their district’s messaging.

Instead of a fragmented system, Finalsite now provides a single source of truth. As Mary Helen put it, "Since everything was so splintered, the mobile app gives us that place to house everything and provides that two-way communication. It became that one-stop for parents to see what's going on with their kids—and not just news, calendar, and menus—but direct communication with their child’s teacher.”

With Finalsite, teachers now have a secure platform for communicating with parents, knowing that their conversations are both private and protected. "Teachers are covered,” Mary Helen pointed out. “Their personal cell phone records are not required if we receive a public records request."

Parents also appreciate the convenience of having all their children's communication channels accessible in one place. "They would just click on the classes and be able to do it from one platform," Mary Helen explained.

Teachers and Staff Feel Supported

The benefits of Finalsite extended beyond parents. Teachers now feel more supported by a single secure platform for communication and collaboration with families. The consolidated system also streamlined workflows and reduced the administrative burden on staff.

"I can't even begin to tell you the time that I've saved now that we have Finalsite. Like, holy moly!” Mary Helen laughed. “I wish I could clone myself because the tasks tend to just stack up, but the fact that I can get on and send out messaging and attach a page pop in less than a minute is huge.”

Building Trust Across the District

Perhaps most importantly, Finalsite helped Rapides Parish rebuild the trust and confidence in its communications.

“When we had multiple Google sites, I had no control over what these schools were posting, and there was no accountability,” Mary Helen shared. "Before, I think people just put out information to put it out there, but now we're slowly curating how to speak to our parents, too. People are coming to expect our brand voice and to expect the tone. We're becoming better stewards of that two-way piece.”

“It makes for really quick and effective messaging, and when we have a situation, like as recently as this morning, we were able to send a message very quickly. We’re intentional about what we’re saying and how we’re saying it, and parents are starting to see the value in trusting communications that come directly from us.”

“I can see an increase in content engagement, and that's grown exponentially,” Mary Helen added. “I can't say enough about Finalsite helping me grow my confidence through the whole deployment process.”

“My project manager, trainer, and consultant provided such support,” she added. “ I was equipped for success, and by following their guidance, I was given an edge in how to best connect with our key audience.”